Third-rail system.



' Y. BURGESS. THIRD RAIL SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED nmge, 190s.

Patented May 11, 1909.

INVENTOR WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFTQFZ.

YORKE BURGESS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN SIGNAL COMPANY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF ARIZONA TER- THIRD-RAIL SYSTEM.

Patented May 11, 1909.

' Application filed January 29, 1908. Serial No. 413,318.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

its horizontal flange overhanging the respec- Be it known that I, YORKE BURGESS, a tive lug 6 and is insulated therefrom by an citizen of the 'United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Third-Rail Systems and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in electrical conductors and supports therefor, ancll particularly to the type known as third rai One of the objects in view is the provision of a complete metallic circuit, the rails constituting the sides of which are so guarded as to be largely protected against climatic con ditions, and insulated against leakage while at the same time readily accessible for brushes or shoes for taking off current.

With this and further objects in view, the invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing,-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fragment of a structure embodying the features of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, parts being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the planes indicated by line 3, 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the plane indicated by line 4, 4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, 1, 1 are the supporting stands which are usually fixed to the cross ties or otherwise suitably, rigidly mounted at the side of the road bed, and each comprises a suitable base 2, a vertical, central stem 3, preferably arched, transverse flanges 4, 4 stiffened by depending ribs or webs 5, and preferably formed integral with the upper end of the stem 3, and laterally extending lugs or blocks 6, 6 pro jecting from the sides of the stem 3 and preferably formed integral therewith. The lugs or blocks 6 are disposed intermediate the length of the stem 3, and are preferably positioned as near while facilitating the ready approach of a contact brush or shoe to the conductor rails 6, 6 sustained by said lugs. Each of the rails 6 is preferably of the T-rail type and has said rails against rain and other climatic canditions, I provide a roof therefor consisting preferably of covering sections 11, 11, each section extending from the central line of the flanges 4 of one stand to the central line of the flanges 4 of the next stand, the roof section being suitably secured in place as by bolts 12, 12 passed therethrcugh and into the material of the respective stand. The flanges 4 are made of sufficient width to form a good support for the respective ends of the contiguous roof sections, and each of the roof sections may be constructed of any preferred material, as wood or other substance found best adapted for the purpose.

By employing the arrangement specified, the rails 6, 6 present continuous flat surfaced conductors which are readily accessible and which provide a complete metallic circuit and are at the same time largely guarded against deteriorations from climatic conditions. Obviously the stands may be arranged in any desired relation to the track, but preferably are arranged at one side there of, and any suitable shoes or brushes may be utilized for taking off current by a sliding contact with the exposed fiat faces of the rails 6.

'What I claim is 2-- 1. A conductor stand, comprising a stem, conductor supports projecting from the op posite sides thereof and supported thereby, and a roof support sustained by the stem above the conductor supports.

2. A conductor stand, comprising a stem, conductor supporting lugs projecting from the flanges 4 as is admissible l the opposite sides of said stem and supported thereby,

and flanges above the lugs formed integral with the stem and overhanging the lugs and adapted to support roofing above the lugs.

3. A conductor stand, comprising a stem, site sides supported thereby, conductor rails a lug formed integral With each side thereof and projecting laterally therefrom, said lugs being adapted to sustain conductors, and flanges projecting laterally from, supported by and connected with the u )per end of the stem and overhanging the iugs, an'd positioned for overhanging conductors sustained by the lugs, the said flanges being adapted to support roofing.

4. A conductor stand, comprising a base, a stem rising therefrom, roof supporting flanges formed integral with and projecting laterally from the upper-end of the stern, strengthening ribs for said flanges, and con ductor supporting lugs projecting laterally from. the opposite sides of the stem in position for being overhung by the flanges.

5. In a third rail system, the combination of stands, each formed with laterally proj ecting lugs extending on opposite sides thereof and supported thereby, conductor anglerails having their horizontal flanges supported by and insulated from said lugs, and a roof sustained by said stands above and overhanging said rails.

6. .In a third rail system, the combination of stands formed With overhanging flanges and with laterally projecting lugs on opposupported by and insulated from said lugs, and root sections extending from a point above the flange of one stand to a point above the flange of the next contiguous stand, and secured thereon, said roof sections being positioned to overhan said rails.

7. In a third rail system, the combination of rail stands spaced apart and each formed With a stem and tWo conductor supports projecting therefrom and supported thereby, and a conductor rail supported by each of the conductor supports on each stand in position for exposing a continuous contact surface for a collecting brush or shoe, and a roofing lor guarding said conductor rails.

8. A device of the class described, comprising a T-shap'ed conductor stand having laterally projecting conductor supporting lugs formed integral With the central, vertical stem of the stand intermediate the length thereof.

In testimony whereof I my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

YORKE BURGESS.

Witnesses DURANT OnURoH, CHRISTIE H. FEsLER. 

